Dallas Cowboys Blog

Cowboys TE Jason Witten sets NFL record for catches in a game by a TE with 18

ARLINGTON – Jason Witten set an NFL record Sunday against the Giants for catches in a game by a tight end with 18. Witten’s 18 receptions also broke his own single-game team record.

“At this point in your career, you’re not worried about that,” Witten said.

Witten’s previous team record for catches in a game was 15, set in 2007 against Detroit. Witten finished with a career-high 167 receiving yards, the most ever by a tight end in team history. Quarterback Tony Romo targeted Witten 22 times. Witten’s 18 catches tied for third-most in a game in NFL history.

“We felt like we had some matchups there underneath,” Witten said. “We were able to keep those chains rolling and it was good to be a big part of that.”

Witten now has 747 career receptions and trails former receiver Michael Irvin by only three catches for tops in team history.

In the season opener at the Giants on Sept. 5, Witten didn’t get cleared to play until the night before the game. He played despite not practicing for three weeks while he was out recovering from a lacerated spleen. In the win,Wittenwas targeted only three times and caught two passes for 10 yards.